For all the people
impatiently waiting
on tax refunds.

A grapevine for taxpayers,
by taxpayers.

Interact with people who have experiences or questions just like you.

All of your tax refund questions, answered.
What Other People Are Saying
49,361 comments

Where’s My Refund?

You have questions, we have answers.

key tax return and refund dates

When can you file your taxes?

You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.

Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.

When does the IRS accept tax returns?

The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.

When is the IRS test batch?

If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.

When will I get my tax refund?

Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.

Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?

The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.

A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.

tax refund grapevine

This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.

IRS Update Cycle

Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.

Transcripts

This is what your IRS transcript can tell you about your tax refund.

Transaction Codes

Lookup the codes that you see on your tax return transcript and what they mean.

Daily vs. Weekly

Find out if you have a daily or weekly account with the IRS and what it means.

When are Updates?

The IRS has regular mass update cycles.

WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?

Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.

WHEN DO transcripts update?

Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.

talk to a human

It is often hard to reach someone at the IRS and you might want to talk to a person. It is hard to reach some tax preparation companies too. Use our guide to talk to a human at the IRS.

TAX TOPIC 152

Tax Topic 152 is the most common status when you check the status of your tax refund. It is nothing to worry about.

transcript codes

Transaction Codes (TC) sometimes called transcript codes consist of three digits and may appear on your IRS account transcript. Decipher the codes on your IRS transcripts.

reference codes

Most times the Wherer’s My Refund tool (WMR) will show Tax Topic 152. Other times you may see various error codes. These are called Reference Codes on the WMR.

Join the Conversation

What Others Are Saying

  1. Path25

    @Mom@3: yes

    Reply
  2. Path25

    @Kymomof3: same here exactly! I call TT they will most likely tell you they have no record of you Routing or account # . Please update me if you talk to them. Wondering if they tell you the same as me.

    Reply
  3. Mom@3

    @Path25:You got a trace number from TT?

    Reply
  4. Mom@3

    DD 2/24 and Ck of, no deposit. NEVER using TT again!

    Reply
    2
  5. Blessed2bme89

    So I just got off the phone with verification dept and my case is closed from Feb 20 and she said within 3 weeks from there I should get a update on wmr

    Reply
  6. wade123
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @TinaR: Is your ID verify letter on a 971 code?

    Reply
  7. DTM2025

    @wade123: the date next to 971 was 2/24/2024 and when i logged on this AM it was waiting for me. It was made available today.

    Reply
  8. Kymomof3

    @Path25: where did you the trace number from, TT? Sorry I am just trying to figure who I should call first. My dad is today sbtg has no record of my account and was denied 5 days earlier and now my TT time line went back to pending.

    Reply
    1
  9. Girlmomx2

    @Path25: I hate reps who say the most random off the wall stuff lol

    Reply
    2
  10. Girlmomx2

    I have a DD of 2/26 wiith current no deposit no fees, Last year I had fees taken out and a loan But I had the prepaid card from the bank that does the loan and I got my money the same day my transcript updated thinking I should’ve gotten that prepaid card lol

    Reply
    1
  11. Path25

    Just spoke to TT and was told they have no record of my routing or account number!!! Wtf!! I assured her after checking my return i have confirmed both are there and correct. Anyway I did manage to get my trace id number and am currently having my bank look into it

    Reply
  12. Uhohdaniozz

    Does not having an account transcript for 2024 mean anything? Do I just need to wait for the next update?

    Reply
  13. Mommianaof4

    Does anyone have Venmo that received a refund of more than 5000?

    Reply
  14. DamnUncleSam

    @Justgivememymoneyyy: same here I filed with TT and used CASHAPP for DD

    DDD 2/26
    Filed 1/17
    Accepted 1/18
    2nd Bar WMR
    5 days early denied
    STILL NO DEPOSIT YET 2.24 @ 9:50am ET east coast time zone North Carolina

    Reply
    1
  15. Jessica C

    @Starchild1111: SBTPG has always funded the day before or the day of your direct deposit.
    The reason TurboTax even offered the 5 days early is bc of SBTPG holding funds every year…. So if you’re waiting on them it’ll be your direct deposit date

    Reply
  16. HeyyKayy

    Is the IRS based off a specific time zone? I been trying to call all morning and no matter what hour it is they say they’re closed and their hours are 7am to 7pm. It’s 8:30 where I am.

    Reply
  17. Dee

    We’re do you get the trace number from?

    Reply
  18. Starchild1111

    @Judah12🦁: I see everything has been funded and taken out I don’t cvthatvtrace number but never had one n the past six urs so never noticed it all I know sbtg is late period cus I’ve been funded since wed and my Sutton bank ALWAYS drop early Neva a dull moment wit my bank I even got deposit on sat last yr according to my bank statement but sbtg always had same ddd along wit wmr and my transcripts so they fin lose they business after this yr cus once it say funded then the rest on ur bank and I never had an issue n never had to wait until exact ddd

    Reply
    2
  19. Starchild1111

    @Money mama: same here I see folks saying sbgt never deposits early , lol shitttn me I’ve had d same everyhtin for past five years sbgt will say 2/25 and 2/26 my deposit transaction History I’ve always got deposited 2/22 last yr it was a sat lol on the 22nd and even with the Monday bs holiday I still would’ve seen it SBTG beta quit playin cus once I c my second bar I wake up to my find every time nothing different so they wit d bananas this yr ion care wut the cycle code is lol they tryin cause problems cus my receipts say other stuff lol

    Reply
    1
  20. 87 manemane

    @Benita: The lady from TT said if they show in processing you should have a trace number. Anyone that shows processing with TT should receive funds today or tomorrow.

    Reply
  21. Madinjay

    @TinaR: they usually release whatever hold is on account

    Reply
  22. Benita
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Benita: East coast

    Reply
  23. Benita
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @87 manemane: I’m still waiting on my trace number, I probably will receive it some time after 12 since I’m on the Eat coast.

    Reply
  24. 87 manemane

    @Path25: You should probably ask TT consistently like I did. I hope that lady don’t get fired she was nice.

    Reply
  25. TinaR

    So I called the IRS and they said a letter to ID Verify was send out on 2/21 when I get it and ID verify what will happen how long will it be before I get my refund? Any info is appreciated

    Reply
  26. 87 manemane

    @Judah12🦁: I got it from TT. They not supposed to give it out. My bank was rejected for the 5 day early advance. The DD is today.

    Reply
    1
  27. Judah12🦁

    @87 manemane: from sbtpg?

    Reply
  28. Judah12🦁

    Logged into sbtpg and clicked on fee amounts then clicked on Total bank fees and I see that all fees are paid except the 2nd transfer fee of 14.95 I hope they hurry up and take that

    Reply
  29. 87 manemane

    I finally got my trace number. I should receive the refund sometime today.

    Reply
    1
  30. Path25

    How can I get a federal tracing number from IRS to give my bank to track my money?

    Reply
  31. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-1
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Money mama: this 🎯

    Reply
  32. Jay Jay not logged in

    @Path25: you’ll have your money hopefully before that switches to sent on WMR

    Reply
    1
  33. sojiki

    TT fees taken out CK DDD 2/24 got 2 bar movement Friday trace number sat ealy morning they held my deposit till the 24th just some information Goodluck see everyone next year love this site

    Reply
    3
  34. sojiki

    CK refund dropped im my account this morning woot finally got paid!!! I wish everyone Goodluck thanks for all the info it’s my 3rd year here and I just love everyone who try to make sense of all this 💗

    Reply
    4
  35. Path25

    Will WMR update today for those with a DDD OF 2/24? Mine is on 2nd bar still

    Reply
    1
  36. Jay Jay not logged in

    @Path25: I have been trying to find contact and have been unsuccessful

    Reply
    1
  37. Clos

    @Sleeplessness: Free Tax Usa I only pay for state $15 bucks and Federal is free.

    Reply
  38. wade123
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DTM2025: When was the 971 code issued? Mine was issued Friday but I have no letters online available

    Reply
  39. Path25

    @Jay Jay not logged in: can we call them? How to we confirm?

    Reply
  40. Sleeplessness

    @Clos: congratulations! who did you file with and did you have fees taken out of refund?

    Reply